Partition wall construction



July 8, 1969 c. STEPHENSON 3,453,789

PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 1, 1965 Sheet of 2 A r746 Z INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 8, 1969 c, R. STEPHENSON 3,

PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTION Sheet Z 0f2 Filed Sept. 1, 1965 W. 51 N m Ha fi m w am m x Z a M? i v ///7/ zfimff 13k W 7 m I a 11m? x A 3 y Z V ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,453,789 PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTION Carl R. Stephenson, 1005 MeEwan St., Clare, Mich. 48617 Filed Sept. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 484,324 Int. Cl. E04c 2/48, 2/34, 2/20 US. Cl. 52122 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to a partition wall construction which is formed from a plurality of similar in dividual assembly units. More specifically the invention relates to the specific construction of the individual assembly units with which the partition wall is formed.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an assembly unit which is so constructed that a plurality thereof may be quickly and easily assembled into a dividing partition in any desired location and subsequently disassembled and then reassembled in another location.

Another object of the invention is to provide assembly units of the aforesaid character which may be readily assembled into a partition wall with a minimum of prefabrication at the installation location, and when desired over a carpeted floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit of the aforesaid character which includes a base assembly which provides a base board on each side of the unit and a top assembly which provides a cornice or molding on each side of the unit when the unit is assembled into a partition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit of the aforesaid character which is so constructed and arranged that each successive unit interlocks with the preceding unit when units are assembled into a partition wall.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unit of the aforesaid character which is of simple construction, and can be easily and inexpensively manufactured as a complete unit including the base and top assemblies.

Having stated the principal objects of the invention other and more specific objects thereof will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a partition wall for-med with a plurality of similar assembly units constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevation, partially broken away for purposes of illustration, of one of the individual units with which the partition wall shown in FIG. 1 is constructed;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line-33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detail section, the plane of which is indicated by the lines 44 on FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detail section, the plane of which indicated by the lines 5-5 on FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal detail section taken on the line 66 on FIG. 1, drawn to the same scale as FIGS. 2 to 5, and illustrating the manner in which each successive unit is interlocked with the preceding unit.

The invention will now be specifically described in connection with the drawings by the use of reference characters in which the numeral 1 generally indicates a partition wall which extends between a floor 2 and a cei1- ing 3, and is made up of a plurality of similar individual assembly units 4 which are constructed according to the invention.

Each assembly unit comprises a panel assembly generally indicated by the numeral 5 and base and head side board member or edge assemblies, generally indicated by the numerals 6 and 7 respectively, which are adjustably connected to the panel assembly 5 at the lower and upper ends thereof respectively.

The panel assembly 5 comprises a pair of spaced opposed similar rectangular front and back walls 8 and 9 of this sheet material such as plywood. The walls 8 and 9 are connected together along the vertical side edges thereof by a pair of elongated rectangular strips 10; along the upper edges thereof by a pair of similar longitudinally spaced rectangular spacer blocks or dowel guide means 11, and along the lower edges thereof by a pair of longitudinally spaced blocks or dowel guide means 12, similar to the blocks 11. The blocks 11 and 12 are disposed in vertical alignment with each other and are spaced inwardly from the end strips 10. The blocks 11 are each provided with a central vertically disposed cylindrical aperture or dowel opening 13, and the blocks 12 are each provided with a central vertically disposed cylindrical aperture or dowel opening 14. The space between the front and back walls 8 and 9 is filled with suitable foam plastic material 15 to render the panel soundproof.

The base assembly 6, which is generally channel shaped, comprises a pair of spaced opposed similar elongated, rectangular, longitudinally extending side plates 16 and 17, which are connected together along the lower edges thereof by a pair of similar longitudinally spaced rectangular base blocks 18. The lower end of a vertically disposed dowel 19 is rigidly secured by a pin 20 in a central cylindrical aperture 21 in each of the base blocks 18. The dowels 19 extend upwardly from the base blocks 18 and slidably through the apertures 14 in. the lower spacer blocks 12 of the panel 5, and into recesses 22 in the filler material 15 between the walls 8 and 9 of the panel 5. A coiled spring 23 is disposed about each of the dowels 19 between the base blocks 22 and the panel blocks 12 which yieldingly urge the panel 5 and base assembly 6 outwardly with respect to each other. The side plates 16 and 17 extend upwardly from the base blocks 18, one on each side'of the panel 5, into slidable engagement with the side walls 8 and 9 thereof. As the side plates 16 and 17 extend upwardly from the base blocks 18 they converge slightly to such an extent that the upper ends thereof are spread apart by the engagement of the panel walls therewith thereby providing a tight contact between the upper ends of the side plates 16 and 17 and the panel side walls 8 and 9.

The head assembly 7, which is generally similar to the base assembly 6, comprises a pair of spaced opposed longitudinally extending similar elongated rectangular side plates 24 and 25 which are connected together along the upper edges thereof by a pair of similar longitudinally spaced rectangular head blocks 26. The upper end of a vertically disposed dowel 27, similar to the dowels 19, is rigidly secured, by a pin 28, in a central cylindrical. aperture 29 in each of the head blocks: 26. The dowels 27 extend downwardly from the head blocks 26 and slidably through the apertures 13 in the upper spacer blocks 11 of the panel 5, and into recesses 30in the filler material 15 between the walls 8 and 9 of the panel 5. The side plates 24 and 25 extend downwardly from the head blocks 26, one on each side of the panel 5, into slidable engagement with the sid Walls 8 and 9 of the panel 5. As the side plates 24 and 25 extend downwardly from the head blocks 26 they converge slightly thereby providing a firm contact thereof with the panel walls 8 and 9. The upward movement of the upper end of the panel into the head assembly 7 is adjustably limited by pins 31 which are adapted to be inserted through selected ones of a plurality of vertically spaced transverse bores 32 in the dowels 27; and the downward movement of the base assembly 6 with respect to the lower end of the panel 5 is limited by pins or stop means 33 which are inserted through transverse bores in the dowels 19.

The length of the base assembly side plates 16 and 17 and the head assembly side plates 24 and 25 is the same as the width of the panel assembly 5. The dowels 19 of the base assembly 6 are so positioned with respect to the ends of the side plates 16 and 17 thereof that when the base assembly 6 is applied to the panel assembly 5 the forward ends of the side plates 16 and 17 extend out a short distance beyond the forward edges 35 of the panel side walls 8 and 9, as indicated at 34, and the rear ends of the side plates 16 and 17 are disposed a like distance forwardly of the rear edges 36 of the panel side walls 8 and 9, as indicated at 37; and the dowels 27 of the head assembly 7 are so positioned with respect to the ends of the side plates 24 and 25 thereof that when the head assembly 7 is applied to the panel assembly 5 the forward ends of the side plates 24 and 25 likewise extend out a short distance beyond the forward edges 35 of the panel side walls 8 and 9, as indicated at 38, and the rear ends of the side plates 24 and 25 are disposed a like distance forwardly of the rear edges 36 of the panel side walls 8 and 9, as indicated at 39. This arrangement of the side plates 16 and 17 and 24 and 25 of the base and head assemblies respectively provides means by which each successive assembly unit is interlocked with the next preceding unit when the units are assembled into a partition wall.

In constructing the partition wall 1, from a plurality of individual assembly units 4, the head assemblies 7 are first vertically adjusted by means of the pins 31 and bores 32, in the dowels 27, with respect to the upper end of the panel assembly 5 in accordance with the height of the ceiling 3 above the floor 2, the mounting of the base and head assemblies 6 and 7 upon the panel assembly 5 being such as to adapt the assembly units 4 for use in various different locations where the ceiling height varies slightly. The first assembly unit 4 is then mounted in vertical position against a fixed wall 40 between the floor 2 and the ceiling 3. In this position the springs 23 yieldingly bias the panel assembly 5 and head assembly 7 upwardly and the base assembly 6 downwardly thereby providing firm frictional engagenment of the base and head assemblies 6 and 7 with the floor 2 and ceiling 3 respectively, and the dowels 19 and 27 prevent cocking of the assembly unit in any direction. Additional assembly units 4 are then successively mounted in longitudinal alignment with each other with the rear edge 36 of each successive panel assembly 5 in contact with the forward edge 35 of the preceding panel assembly and with the lower rear comer thereof disposed between the extending ends 34 of the base assembly side plates 16 and 17 and the upper rear corner thereof disposed between the extending ends 38 of the head assembly side plates 24 and 25. The aligned base assembly side plates 16 and 17 constitute base boards for the partition wall thus assembled, and the aligned head assembly side plates 24 and 25 constitute cornices or moldings therefor.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that I have provided very simple and effective means for accomplishing the objects of the invention.

Iit is to be understood that I am not limited to the specific construction shown and described herein as various modifications may be made therein within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A preformed assembly unit for use in constructing a relocatable partition wall; said assembly unit comprising a panel assembly, a head assembly which is mounted upon the upper end of said panel assembly, and a base assembly which is mounted upon the lower end of said panel assembly, said assembly unit being adapted to be vertically disposed between a floor and a ceiling with said head assembly frictionally engaging said ceiling and said base assembly frictionally engaging said floor; said panel assembly comprising a pair of similar spaced parallel rectangular side walls which are connected together along the upper edges thereof by upper spacer block means, and along the lower edges thereof by lower spacer block means; said base assembly comprising base block means, a pair of similar longitudinally spaced dowels which are rigidly secured to said base block means and extend upwardly therefrom through complementary apertures in said lower spacer block means, a first pair of spaced opposed similar elongated longitudinally extending rectangular side plates which are secured to said base block means, one on each side thereof, and extend upwardly therefrom into engagement with the said side walls of said panel assembly, a coiled compression spring disposed about each of said dowels between said base block means and said lower spacer block mean which springs yieldingly bias said panel assembly and said base assembly outwardly with respect to each other, and stop means by which the outward movement of said base assembly with respect to said panel assembly is limited.

2. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 1 in which said first pair of rectangular side plates converge slightly as they extend upwardly from said base block means to such an extent that the upper ends thereof are spread apart by the engagement of said panel side walls therewith thereby providing a tight contact therebetween.

3. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 2 in which the forward ends of said first pair of rectangular side plates extend out beyond the forward edges of said side walls a fixed distance and the rear ends thereof are disposed a like distance forwardly of the rear edges of said side walls.

4. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 1 in which said head assembly comprises head block means, a pair of similar longitudinally spaced dowels which are rigidly secured to said head block means and extend downwardly therefrom through complementary apertures in said upper spacer block means, a second pair of spaced opposed similar elongated longitudinally extending rectangular side plate which are secured to said head block means, one on each side thereof, and extend downwardly therefrom into engagement with the said side walls of said panel assembly, and means by which said head assembly may be vertically adjusted with respect to the upper end of said panel assembly.

5. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 4 in which the forward ends of said first and second pairs of rectangular side plates extend out beyond the forward edges of the said side walls of said panel assembly a fixed distance and the rear end thereof are disposed a like distance forwardly of the rear edges of said side walls.

6. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 4 in which said second pair of rectangular side plates converge slightly as they extend downwardly from said head block means to such an extent that the lower ends thereof are spread apart by the engagement of said panel side walls therewith thereby providing a tight contact therebetween.

7. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 6 in which said first pair of rectangular side plates converge slightly as they extend upwardly from said base block means to such an extent that the upper ends thereof are spread apart by the engagement of said panel side walls therewith thereby providing a tight contact therebetween.

8. A preformed assembly unit as defined by claim 7 in which the forward ends of said first and second pairs of rectangular side plates extend out beyond the forward edges o-f the said side walls of said panel assembly a fixed distance and the rear ends thereof are disposed a like distance forwardly of the rear edges of said side walls.

9. A preformed, relocatable partition wall assembly adapted to be positioned between a ceiling and floor, comprising: wall panel means; an edge member assembly having a telescopic relation with the wall panel means vertical along at least one of the upper and lower edges of the wall panel means; dowel guide means carried by one of the edge member assembly and wall panel means along the corresponding edge of the wall panel means and having vertically extending dowel openings therein; dowel members carried by the other of the edge member assembly and wall panel means and received in said dowel openings; resilient heavy coil springs telescopically received by said dowel members for urging said wall panel means and edge member assembly vertically apart to anchor said wall assembly between the ceiling and floor, and stop means by which the vertical outward movement of said edge member assembly with respect to said wall panel means is limited.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 in which said wall panel means comprises spaced apart, generally rigid sides separated by a soundproofing plastic foam inner sheet, openings being provided in said foam sheet to receive said dowel members.

11. The combination defined in claim 9 in which said edge member assembly comprises base boards rigidly connected at their bottom edges.

12. A preformed, relocatable wall assembly adapted to be positioned between a ceiling and floor, comprising: wall panel means; a channel assembly comprising side members connected by a lateral member telescopically receiving the wall panel means vertically along at least one of the upper and lower edges of the wall panel means; dowel means carried by one of the channel assembly and wall panel means along the corresponding edge of the wall panel means and having vertically extending dowel openings therein; dowel pins carried by the other of the channel assembly and wall panel means and received in said dowel openings; and springs engaging vertically between said lateral member and wall panel means for urging said wall panel means and channel assembly vertically apart to anchor said Wall assembly between the ceiling and the floor; a channel assembly also telescopically receiving the wall panel means vertically along the other edge of the wall panel means; second dowel guide means carried by one of the wall panel means and latter channel assembly and having dowel openings therein; said other of the latter channel assembly and wall panel means mounting dowels received in said dowel openings; and there being vertically spaced stop pin openings in said latter dowels and stop pin means therein.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 in which said springs are coil springs surrounding said dowels.

14. A preformed, relocatable partition wall assembly adapted to be positioned between a ceiling and floor, com prising: wall panel means; edge member means having telescopic relation with the wall panel means vertically along at least one of the upper and lower edges of the wall panel means; vertically extending dowel pins carried by one of the edge member means and wall panel means; dowel guide means carried by the other of the edge member means and wall panel means and having vertically extending elongate dowel receiving guide openings with side wall surfaces configured to slidably accommodate the side wall surfaces of the dowel pins, the dowel pins being telescopically received by the dowel guide openings and movable vertically therein; and coil springs telescopically received by said dowel pins for urging said wall panel means and edge member means vertically apart to anchor said wall assembly between the ceiling and floor.

15. A preformed, relocatable wall assembly adapted to be positoned between a ceiling and floor, comprising: wall panel means; generally U-shaped edge assemblies having openings telescopically receiving the wall panel means vertically along at least one of the upper and lower edges of the wall panel means, and the opening being of lesswidth than the said edge of the wall panel means so as to be spread apart when the wall panel means is received by the edge assemblies; dowel guide means carried by one of the side board member assemblies and wall panel means along the corresponding edge of the wall panel means and having vertically extending dowel openings therein; dowel members carried by the other of the side board member assemblies and wall panel means received in said dowel openings; and spring means for urging said wall panel means and side board member assemblies vertically apart to anchor said wall assembly between the ceiling and floor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,443,548 6/ 1948 Wilson 52-241 X 2,969,565 1/1961 Levy 52-241 X 3,003,810 10/1961 Kloote 52-309 X FOREIGN PATENTS 70,624 12/ 8 France. 329,647 6/ 1958 Switzerland. 1,178,632 12/1958 France.

853,216 1960 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application 1,033,880 to Kind, published July 1958.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-241 

